County Forest Preserve reforms management

April 4, 2011

The Cook County Forest Preserve superintendent says sweeping changes are already in affect at the district. That's following a scathing report from an Inspector General's investigation that cited inappropriate and some criminal activity. That included allegations of workers drinking on the job and giving alcohol to minors, financial improprieties and employees having sex at work.

Superintendent Arnold Randall says the history of poor management at the forest preserve district is coming to an end.

"These sort of recreation facilities, not easily managed, but with proper management and oversight and processes, none of these things should've happened. And if somebody chose to do something inappropriate, we should've caught it and that's what's going to happen this year," he said.

Much of the misconduct centered around the Cermak Family Aquatic Center in Lyons, Illinois. Some staff have been terminated and others who were indirectly involved have been disciplined. Randall says the county has revamped the hiring process to make it more objective. He says all cash transactions will now be under camera surveillance.